Editorial Reviews

Barnes & Noble - David McGee

Collecting 18 chart-topping tunes culled from Bluegrass Unlimited magazine's radio charts, Bluegrass Number 1's shows both the persistence of tradition in contemporary bluegrass and the subtle infusions of jet-age propulsion over the past couple of decades. And with almost half of the cuts coming from female artists, the disc underscores the distaff side's energizing contributions -- Alison Krauss, Rhonda Vincent, Lynn Morris, and Laurie Lewis are all powerfully represented with singular, moving performances. Vincent pays a high-lonesome tribute to the master, Bill Monroe, on the driving, gospel-tinged "Is the Grass Any Bluer," and Lewis shines on "Who Will Watch the ...

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Editorial Reviews

Barnes & Noble
- David McGee

Collecting 18 chart-topping tunes culled from Bluegrass Unlimited magazine's radio charts, Bluegrass Number 1's shows both the persistence of tradition in contemporary bluegrass and the subtle infusions of jet-age propulsion over the past couple of decades. And with almost half of the cuts coming from female artists, the disc underscores the distaff side's energizing contributions -- Alison Krauss, Rhonda Vincent, Lynn Morris, and Laurie Lewis are all powerfully represented with singular, moving performances. Vincent pays a high-lonesome tribute to the master, Bill Monroe, on the driving, gospel-tinged "Is the Grass Any Bluer," and Lewis shines on "Who Will Watch the Home Place," a heart-stopping reflection on home and hearth. Gender issues aside, this survey offers stirring music from start to finish, with the artists displaying technical savvy to burn, as well as an emotional investment in the material that is rarely encountered with mainstream fare in other genres. James King brings up the traditional side in his deliberate, low-key reading of the ballad "Bed by the Window," and the Del McCoury Band add some edge to that tradition with their bristling classic "The Cold Hard Facts." The visionary J. D. Crowe & the New South light a path from the past to the present with a spirited testimonial of abiding love, "Waiting for You," replete with close three-part harmonizing and deft, economical instrumental asides. A second, bonus disc further emphasizes the vitality of contemporary bluegrass with eight cuts from young lions including Tom Adams & Michael Cleveland, Ginny Harmer, Ron Block, Open Road, and Rob Ickes. As a progress report, Bluegrass Number 1's shows the past and the present in perfect alignment and highlights the unlimited potential for a bountiful future.

All Music Guide
- Jason MacNeil

The idea of bluegrass "hits" seems like an anomaly, but on this two-disc, 26-song collection, some of the finest contemporary pickers and singers show their wares. And they're good wares, to say the least. Whether it's on the introductory tune, "Lonesome Wind Blues" by Rhonda Vincent, or the country leanings of "We're Steppin' Out Tonight" by Bobby Hicks with Del McCoury, the first disc has a very impressive flow to it. At times, it's not the mandolin or banjo-blazing songs in the vein of Ricky Skaggs or Bill Monroe, but the somber, folk-sy dirges like "Who Will Watch the Home Place" that are instantly attractive. Later on is another gem from Lynn Morris called "Mama's Hand," which brings to mind early Dolly Parton. The fun-loving, boogie-driven "Thirty Years of Farming" results in a grin-inducing tune, despite singing about the problems of the American farmer. Alison Krauss lends her trademark sound on "New Fool,", a mid-tempo tune rounded out by her stellar supporting cast. Bandmember Dan Tyminski gives a good performance on the laid-back "Carry Me Across the Mountain." This is in direct contrast to the old-school, rollicking toe-tapper "Riding the Danville Pike," courtesy of Blue Highway. Perhaps the highlight is "Bed by the Window" by James King, which sounds like Hank Williams or Vern Gosdin. Laurie Lewis also brings to life "Tall Pines," which is more of a roots-tinted tune than traditional bluegrass. More of the traditional influences are felt on the high yodeling of "I've Been So Lonesome." A second disc consisting of eight tunes begins with the rousing instrumental "Whistling Rufus," by Tom Adams and Michael Cleveland. Open Road has the blueprint down pat, sounding as if they're performing around one microphone with a single dim light bulb overhead during "I'm Not Perfect." One of the better tunes on this second disc is the Gillian Welch-like rendition of "My Warfare Will Soon Be Over," by Ginny Hawker. Only "Goin' Where I've Never Been Before" surpasses it; the latter is a blistering and infectious tune that, like so much of this collection, does the genre a wealth of justice.

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